In a world searching for true wisdom and authentic faith, there are individuals who capture our attention, challenge our assumptions, and inspire us to live boldly for Jesus. Francis Chan is undeniably one such individual. Known for his radical approach to Christianity and deep devotion to God, Chan has become a voice that resonates with millions across the globe. Today, we have the privilege of delving into the mind and heart of this renowned speaker, author, and pastor as we sit down for an exclusive interview with Francis Chan. Join us as we explore the experiences, beliefs, and perspectives that have shaped his remarkable journey of faith, and discover the transformative power of surrendering all to the one who loved us first.
Francis Chan is a renowned Christian pastor, speaker, and best-selling author who has made a significant impact on the global church. Known for his heartfelt and passionate preaching style, Francis has dedicated his life to challenging and inspiring others to deepen their faith and live in obedience to God’s Word.
Born in 1967 in San Francisco, California, Francis grew up in a Chinese immigrant family. His early years were spent searching for meaning and purpose, exploring various religious beliefs and philosophies. However, it was during his college years at Master’s College in Santa Clarita that Francis encountered a life-altering encounter with the Holy Spirit, which led him to fully surrender his life to Jesus Christ.
After earning his Bachelor’s degree from Master’s College and his Master of Divinity from The Master’s Seminary, Francis embarked on a journey of ministry that would shape his future and influence countless others. He started as a youth pastor before co-founding and serving as the lead pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California. Under his leadership, the church grew exponentially, attracting multitudes of people hungry for an authentic and transformative encounter with God.
Francis is renowned for his bold and unyielding approach to preaching the Gospel. His sermons are characterized by a fearless commitment to biblical truth and a genuine desire to see lives transformed through the power of God’s Word. With a particular emphasis on the supremacy of Christ, the urgency of discipleship, and the biblical mandate to love sacrificially, Francis challenges believers to embrace a radical commitment to following Jesus.
Beyond his role as a pastor, Francis is an esteemed author, with several published works that have captivated readers worldwide. His books, including the best-sellers “Crazy Love” and “Forgotten God,” have been instrumental in challenging individuals to reevaluate their faith, reassess their priorities, and pursue a deeper relationship with God. Francis’s writings offer profound insights into the true essence of Christianity and provide practical guidance for living out a vibrant, authentic faith.
Today, Francis continues to impact lives through his speaking engagements and the teaching resources available through his ministry, Crazy Love. He is also actively involved in church planting efforts, particularly in impoverished regions and among marginalized communities. As a true visionary and a passionate advocate for the Gospel, Francis seeks to inspire believers to live out their faith with radical love and unyielding devotion to Jesus Christ.
10 Thought-Provoking Questions with Francis Chan
1. Can you provide ten Crazy Love by Francis Chan quotes to our readers?
Crazy Love quotes as follows:
a. “The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His.”
b. “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”
c. “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but at succeeding in things in life that don’t really matter.”
d. “Crazy love is not about what you do for God, but what you let Him do to you.”
e. “We need to stop giving people excuses not to believe in God. You’ve got to live what you believe.”
f. “God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.”
g. “I challenge you to look hard at your heart and see if you are willing to let God wreck your plans.”
h. “We are a culture that relies on technology over community, a society in which spoken and written words are cheap, easy to come by, and excessive.”
i. “Every day, God invites us on the same kind of adventure. It’s not a trip where He sends us a rigid itinerary, He simply invites us.”
j. “So we must not reduce discipleship to a canned program or a new kind of class we add to our already packed schedules.”
2.What inspired you to write “Crazy Love”? Can you share the story behind the book and explain why you felt compelled to explore the topics within it?
“Crazy Love” was inspired by my own personal journey of rediscovering the true magnitude of God’s love. After years of being a pastor and sharing the Gospel, I began to realize that I had lost sight of the incredible love that God has for each and every one of us. I witnessed many Christians going through the motions of faith without truly understanding the depth of God’s love for them.
This realization led me to dive deeper into scripture and prayer, seeking a renewed understanding of God’s love. As I delved into the pages of the Bible, I was confronted with the overwhelming evidence of God’s love and the radical response He calls us to have.
I felt compelled to write “Crazy Love” because I saw a great need for believers to reevaluate their relationship with God. The book addresses the lukewarm attitudes and complacency that exist within the Church, urging readers to fully surrender their lives and fall in love with God once again. It explores themes such as our response to God’s love, the pursuit of a genuine relationship with Him, and the urgency of living out our faith.
Ultimately, my goal with “Crazy Love” was to awaken believers to the incredible love of God, disrupting their comfortable lives and prompting them to live radically for Him.
3.Your book focuses on the theme of God’s love and our response to it. Can you highlight some key principles and challenges you present in “Crazy Love” regarding how individuals can live out a radical and passionate love for God, as discussed in your book?
In “Crazy Love,” I present several key principles and challenges for individuals seeking to live out a radical and passionate love for God. Firstly, I emphasize the importance of understanding God’s incredible love for us. Recognizing the depth of His love compels us to respond with wholehearted devotion and surrender.
Secondly, the book highlights the need for believers to reevaluate their priorities. I challenge readers to let go of worldly pursuits and embrace a lifestyle centered on loving God and others selflessly. This involves surrendering material possessions, comfort, and security in order to live for a higher purpose.
Additionally, I discuss the principle of genuine worship, emphasizing the importance of wholeheartedly expressing our love for God in spirit and truth. True worship involves a lifestyle of obedience, humility, and constant pursuit of His presence.
Lastly, I present the challenge of radical generosity. I encourage individuals to give sacrificially, as a reflection of God’s abundant love for us. This principle challenges us to steward our resources for His purposes and to love others tangibly.
Living out a radical and passionate love for God requires constant evaluation of our motives, priorities, and actions. It involves taking risks, stepping out of comfort zones, and embracing a life of faith and obedience.
4.”Crazy Love” emphasizes the idea of living a life of radical devotion to God. How do you convey the concept of “crazy love” and what it means to live with an unwavering commitment to God, as discussed in your book?
“Crazy Love” is about challenging the cultural norms and complacency that often hinder our relationship with God. To convey the concept of “crazy love,” I would emphasize the importance of an all-encompassing, unwavering commitment to God. It means going beyond the comfortable boundaries of religious tradition and truly surrendering our entire lives to Him.
Living with crazy love requires a radical shift in our priorities, with God at the forefront of every decision and action. It means valuing His will above our desires and treating His commandments as our highest authority. This radical devotion will naturally manifest in sacrificial love for others, as we seek to mirror God’s love for us.
In the book, I strive to challenge individuals to examine their lives and question whether their commitment to God reflects a radical, crazy love or a lukewarm faith. I emphasize the urgency of pursuing an intimate, genuine relationship with God that transcends mere religious obligations. Living with crazy love means letting go of the ordinary and embracing a life completely dedicated to God’s purposes, no matter how radical it may seem.
5.In your book, you discuss the disconnect between the lukewarm faith and the passionate faith. Could you provide insights on how readers can move from a lukewarm faith to a passionate, transformative faith, as inspired by your book?
In my book, I address the issue of lukewarm faith and the transformation to passionate, transformative faith. To begin with, it is crucial for readers to honestly examine their own hearts and acknowledge their lukewarmness. This requires genuine humility and a desire to change. One practical step is to spend time seeking God in His Word, allowing His truth to penetrate our hearts and minds. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we can gain a deeper understanding of His character and His desires for us.
Next, readers should intentionally pursue a vibrant prayer life. Prayer is not just about asking for our needs, but it is about communing with the living God, expressing our love, gratitude, and dependence on Him. Moreover, I encourage readers to engage in genuine fellowship with other believers, who can spur them on towards passionate faith and hold them accountable.
Finally, it is essential to daily surrender our lives to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to transform us from the inside out. This involves yielding to His promptings, stepping out in faith, and embracing the uncomfortable and sacrificial aspects of following Christ.
In summary, moving from lukewarm to passionate, transformative faith requires self-reflection, immersion in God’s Word, devotion in prayer, meaningful fellowship, and surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s transformative work.
6.Your teachings often stress the importance of surrender and selflessness. Can you elaborate on the role of surrender and selflessness in the Christian journey and how readers can apply these principles in their lives, as discussed in your book?
In my book, I emphasize the significance of surrender and selflessness in the Christian journey. Surrender is a foundational aspect of our relationship with God, as it involves relinquishing our own desires, plans and control to submit to His will. It means recognizing that God is perfect and trustworthy, and then wholeheartedly yielding ourselves to His guidance and purposes.
Selflessness, similarly, is critical in following Christ. It involves denying our selfish desires and considering others as more important than ourselves. This attitude not only reflects the character of Jesus, but also fosters unity and love within the body of believers.
To apply these principles, readers should regularly examine their hearts, motives, and actions, seeking areas where surrender and selflessness need cultivation. As we deepen our surrender to God, we must continually realign our lives with His Word, while embracing His leading even when it challenges our comfort or plans. Practicing selflessness involves intentional acts of compassion, sacrificial love, and service towards others, especially those marginalized or in need.
In summary, surrender and selflessness are vital elements of the Christian journey. By cultivating these attributes, readers can experience a more authentic and transformative relationship with God, while reflecting the love and character of Christ in their daily lives.
7.”Crazy Love” includes practical challenges and reflections for readers. Can you share examples of these challenges and how they can help individuals deepen their relationship with God and live out the radical love you advocate, as outlined in your book?
In “Crazy Love,” I would address the question by highlighting practical challenges and reflections that can aid readers in deepening their relationship with God and living out radical love. One example is the challenge of prioritizing one’s time and resources. I would encourage individuals to reflect on how they are currently allocating their time and finances, and to prayerfully consider if their choices align with the radical love that Jesus calls us to. This reflection can prompt action, such as reallocating resources to support those in need or dedicating more time to meaningful conversations and relationships. Another practical challenge would be to examine our idols and attachments. Readers can reflect on what they value most in their lives and how those things may hinder their wholehearted devotion to God. By identifying and surrendering these idols, individuals can take steps to deepen their relationship with God and experience the freedom of living for Him alone. These challenges and reflections prompt self-examination, foster a deeper reliance on God, and ultimately lead to a transformed life that embodies the radical love advocated in the book.
8.Your book encourages readers to live out their faith with a sense of urgency. Can you provide guidance on how individuals can cultivate a sense of urgency in their spiritual lives and make meaningful changes, as inspired by the principles you’ve shared in your book?
Living out your faith with a sense of urgency begins with recognizing the brevity and importance of life. Embracing the reality that our time on earth is limited compels us to prioritize what truly matters. To cultivate a sense of urgency in your spiritual life, start by seeking a deep and intimate relationship with God through prayer, studying His Word, and worship. Allow the Holy Spirit to transform your heart, aligning your desires with God’s purposes.
Next, learn to view every opportunity, interaction, and circumstance as a chance to make a lasting impact for the kingdom of God. Reflect on the eternal significance of each decision or action you take. This perspective will prompt intentional living and motivate you to maximize your time and resources for God’s glory.
Be willing to make meaningful changes by surrendering your comfort and security to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Take practical steps such as prioritizing daily devotion and prayer, seeking accountability through community, and actively serving and sharing the Gospel with others. As you allow God to lead, embracing urgency will become a natural part of your spiritual journey.
9.”Crazy Love” offers a path to experiencing the radical love of God. Can you describe the transformative journey that readers can embark on by applying the principles and challenges presented in your book?
“Crazy Love” offers readers a transformative journey towards experiencing the radical love of God by challenging us to rethink and realign our understanding of love and its implications in our lives. Through the principles and challenges presented in the book, readers can embark on a path of surrendering to God’s unconditional love and living in response to it.
The book emphasizes the need to be in awe of God’s boundless love, to truly understand our worth in His eyes, and to respond wholeheartedly to His calling. It guides readers to examine their lives, priorities, and relationships, urging them to let go of comfort, complacency, and worldly attachments. By embracing radical obedience and sacrificial love, readers can experience the joy and fulfillment found in wholehearted devotion to God.
The transformative journey involves a shift in perspective – from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, from worldly desires to Kingdom purposes. It challenges readers to examine their motives, actions, and choices in light of God’s love, and to pursue a deep, intimate relationship with Him. By applying the principles and challenges of “Crazy Love,” readers can embark on a life-transforming journey towards experiencing the radical love of God.
10. Can you recommend more books like Crazy Love?
A. “Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World” by Bob Goff
B. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream” by David Platt
C. “Not a Fan: Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus” by Kyle Idleman
D. “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
E. “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis